Techniques and systems associated with perforation and the installation of downhole tools
A technique to install a tool in a well includes running the tool into the well and fixing the tool to the well with a fixing agent without pumping the fixing agent through a central passageway of the tool. The tool may be a perforating gun that includes a casing body that includes a longitudinal axis. The perforating gun may also include a fin and a perforating charge. The fin radially extends from the casing body, and the perforating charge is attached to the fin and is oriented to generate a perforation jet in a radial direction away from the longitudinal axis of the casing body.
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This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/419,718, filed on Oct. 18, 2002.
BACKGROUNDThe invention generally relates to systems and techniques associated with perforation and the installation of downhole tools.
A typical subterranean well includes a casing string that lines a wellbore of the well. To install the casing string, the string is first run into the well, and then the string is cemented in place. The cementing typically includes pumping a cement flow into a central passageway of the casing string. A mud flow is then communicated through the central passageway of the casing string behind the cement flow to displace the cement from inside the string and force the cement from the end of the string into the annulus.
One or more downhole tools may be integrated with the casing string so that these tools are installed with the string. Thus, the casing string may include one or more casing conveyed tools, such as perforating guns and/or formation isolation valves. A potential challenge relating to the use of the casing conveyed tools is that the above-described cementing technique may leave set cement inside the casing string, and this set cement may interfere with the proper functioning of the tools.
Casing conveyed tools may restrict the usable interior space of the casing string, making it difficult to potentially run other tools and strings inside the casing string. Casing conveyed tools may require one or more subsequent runs (after their installation) into the well for purposes of operating these tools.
Thus, there is a continuing need for systems and/or techniques to address one or more of the problems that are set forth above. There is also a continuing need for systems and/or techniques to address other problems that are not set forth above.
SUMMARYIn an embodiment of the invention, a method to install a tool in a well includes running the tool into the well and fixing the tool to the well with a fixing agent without pumping the fixing agent through a central passageway of the tool.
In another embodiment of the invention, a perforating gun includes a casing body, a fin and a perforating charge. The casing body includes a longitudinal axis, and the fin radially extends from the casing body. The perforating charge is attached to the fin and is oriented to generate a perforation jet in a radial direction away from the longitudinal axis of the casing body.
Advantages and other features of the invention will become apparent from the following description, drawing and claims.
Referring to
In some embodiments of the invention, the tool may be a casing conveyed tool, a tool that is connected to and is installed with a casing string section as a unit. Thus, the casing conveyed tool becomes part of the installed casing string. In some embodiments of the invention, the tool may also be a completion tool, such as a formation isolation valve or a perforating gun. A casing conveyed tool is described below in connection with various embodiments of the invention. However, other tools may be used in other embodiments of the invention.
In
As depicted in
After the tool 22 is fixed in the well 10, perforating guns 30 may be lowered downhole on a work string 19 (or some other transport device such as coiled tubing, a slickline or a wireline) and positioned to perforate the casing 24 and the zone 14, as depicted in
Thus,
After tool 22 is set in place, guns 30 can be lowered into place, fired, and removed. As described before, guns 30 can be fired for individual portions of zone 14 or fired all at once for the entire zone. If the tool 22 includes formation isolation valves, whether of flapper type, ball type, or some other type, different portions of the zone 14 may be treated individually, or a lower portion can be isolated to stop production from that lower portion. Though not expressly shown in these
Thus,
A filter cake generally protects the formations in the zone 14 from damage from the cement 20. However, if those formations are particularly vulnerable to the rigors of cement being pumped through, one of the other embodiments described herein, such as the embodiments described in connection with
Thus,
It may be desirable to run a perforating gun string into a well, cement the perforating gun string in place; and after firing of the guns of the string, using the tubular structure provided by the gun string to communicate production fluid from the formation. As a more specific example,
Thus, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a technique 66 that is depicted in
Similarly, if tool 22 includes valves 26 and casing conveyed perforators 30, coiled tubing 38 may be deployed through the internal passageway of tool 22. A packer or other means can be used to prevent infiltration of fluids into tool 22 from below. Cement 20 may then be pumped through coiled tubing 38 into annulus 23. Once cement 20 is set, coiled tubing 38 can be removed, perforators 30 fired, and well 10 produced.
Thus, a technique 82 that is generally depicted in
Thus,
Many variations are within the scope of the following claims. For example, in the embodiment depicted in
In some embodiments of the invention, the coiled tubing may have a cross-section that does not conform to a basic geometric shape. For example,
Although a single coiled tubing has been described in the embodiments above, other embodiments of the invention may include multiple coiled tubings that are run alongside the string 39 for purposes of introducing cement into the annulus. Furthermore, in some embodiments of the invention, one or more of these coiled tubings may communicate fluids (control fluids, for example) other than a fixing agent or cement.
Referring to
In some embodiments of the invention, sensors or other control lines may extend downhole with the work string. In this manner, in addition to or in replacement of the tubings discussed above, a sensor may be connected to a particular work string that is lowered downhole. This is depicted by way of example in
Depending on the particular embodiment of the invention, the optical fiber 120 may be used to measure temperature and/or pressure before and/or after firing of the perforating guns. Depending on the particular embodiment of the invention, the optical fiber may allow monitoring of the cement curing and may also allow flow information to be acquired during the life of the well. Other variations are possible.
Referring to
In accordance with some embodiments of the invention,
The tool 200 includes fins 212 that extend along the longitudinal axis of the tool and radially extend away from the main casing body 210. In addition to receiving perforating charges (shaped charges, for example), as described below, the fins 212 form stabilizers for the tool 200 and for the casing string. Each fin 212 may include an upper beveled face 213 (
As depicted in
Each perforating charge 224 is directed in a radially outward direction from the longitudinal axis of the tool 200 so that when the perforating charge 224 fires, the charge 224 forms a perforation jet that is radially directed into the surrounding formation. Initially, before any perforating charges 224 fire, the tool 200 functions as a typical casing section in that there is no communication of well fluid through the casing wall and the central passageway. As described below, the firing of the perforating charges 224 produce communication paths between the tunnels formed by the charges 224 and the central passageway of the tool 200.
Referring to
The presence of the plug 225 seals off the opening 223 so that during cementing through the central passageway of the tool 200, the cement does not enter the opening 223 and affect later operation of the perforating charge 224. Referring also to
Thus, the firing of each perforating charge 224 creates a tunnel into the formation and an opening through what remains of the perforating charge 224. The rupturing of the rupture disk 233 creates an opening through the plug 225 to establish well fluid communication between the formation and central passageway of the tool 200 via the opening 233.
Therefore, after the perforating charges 224 of the tool 200 fire, the tool 200 transitions into a production casing, in that well fluid is produced through the openings 233.
Referring to
The ballistic junction 260 includes an inner collar 265 that is attached (via threads or welds, for example) to the lower end 262 of the upper tool 200. An outer collar 266 is threaded onto the inner collar 265. The ballistic junction 260 has the following structure for each detonating cord that is longitudinally coupled through the junction 260. The structure includes an opening in inner collar 265, an opening that receives a hydraulic seal fitting nut 274. The nut 274 receives and secures a lower detonator 280 to the inner collar 265. The lower detonator 280, in turn, is connected to a detonating cord that extends from the detonator 280 into one of the fins 212 of the lower tool 200. The outer collar 266 includes an opening that receives a hydraulic seal fitting nut 272. The nut 272 receives and secures an upper detonator 282 to the outer collar 266. The upper detonator 282, in turn, is connected to a jumper detonating cord that extends from the detonator 282 into one of the fins 212 of the upper tool 200. The jumper detonating cords make the ballistic connection across the threaded casing joint, and are installed after the casing joint is made up, in some embodiments of the invention.
For each detonating cord that is longitudinally coupled through the junction 260, the ballistic junction 260 includes a detonating cord 277 that longitudinally extends from the lower detonator 274 to a detonating cord 278; and a detonating cord 275 that longitudinally extends from the upper detonator 272 to the detonating cord 278. Thus, due to this arrangement, a detonation wave propagating along either detonating cord 275 or 277 is relayed to the other cord. The detonating cord 278 extends circumferentially around the tool 200 and serves as a redundant detonating cord to ensure that an incoming detonation received on one side of the junction 160 is relayed to all detonating cords on the other side of the ballistic junction 160.
Other variations are possible for the casing conveyed perforating tool. For example,
As depicted in
Unlike the tool 200, the perforating charges 324 of the tool 300 are directed so that the perforation jet from the perforating charges 324 are directed through the fin 312 to which the perforating charges 312 are attached. As depicted in
In some embodiments of the invention, the tool 200 or 300 may include an orientation mechanism to allow the subsequent running of a gun string downhole inside the tool 200 or 300 in case the perforating charges of the tool do not fire. The orienting mechanism, as set forth below, ensures that the perforating charges of the subsequently run gun string are aligned between the fins of the tool 200 or 300. In other words, the perforating charges of this gun string are aligned to minimize the thickness of the casing through which the perforation jets are directed.
In some embodiments of the invention, this mechanism includes a key 420 on a subsequently run gun string 440. The mechanism ensures that the key 402 is aligned in a slot 410 so that when the key 420 is aligned in the slot 410, the perforating charges (not shown) of the gun string 440 perforate between the fins of the tool 200 and 300. The orienting mechanism includes an internal profile 400 located inside the main casing body 210, 310 of the tool 200, 300. The profile 400 is directed to interact with the key 420 to rotate the string 440 for purposes of aligning the key 420 in the slot 410. As depicted in
In the preceding description, directional terms, such as “upper,” “lower,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” etc., may have been used for reasons of convenience to describe the systems and tools herein and their associated components. However, such orientations are not needed to practice the invention, and thus, other orientations are possible in other embodiments of the invention.
While the present invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having the benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate numerous modifications and variations therefrom. It is intended that the appended claims cover all such modifications and variations as fall within the true spirit and scope of this present invention.
Claims
1. A method usable with a well, comprising:
- running a tool into an uncased interval of the well;
- using the tool to support the interval as a casing;
- fixing the tool to the well with a fixing agent without pumping the fixing agent through a central passageway of the tool; and
- operating the tool after the fixing agent sets.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the fixing agent comprises cement.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the fixing comprises pumping the fixing agent into the well and then running the tool into the well.
4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:
- isolating a bottom of the tool to prevent the fixing agent from entering the central passageway of the tool.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the isolating comprises sealing off a bottom end of the tool.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the fixing comprises:
- running the tool into the well; and
- subsequently pumping the fixing agent into an annulus surrounding the tool.
7. A method usable with a well, comprising:
- running a tool into the well via a string;
- introducing a fixing agent into the well after the running so that the fixing agent at least partially surrounds the tool;
- operating the tool after the fixing agent sets; and
- using at least part of the string as a production tubing.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the fixing agent comprises cement.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein the tool comprises a casing conveyed tool.
10. The method of claim 7, wherein the operating the tool comprises firing a perforating gun.
11. The method of claim 7, wherein the introducing the fixing agent comprises:
- introducing the fixing agent via a tubing; and
- retrieving the tubing after the introduction of the fixing agent.
12. A system usable with a well comprising:
- a fixing agent; and
- a tool set in the fixing agent and adapted to line a wellbore of the well as a casing and be actuated to perform a function other than lining the wellbore, the tool having a bottom end that is sealed to prevent the fixing agent from entering the tool before the fixing agent is set.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the tool comprises a perforating gun.
14. The system of claim 12, wherein the fixing agent comprises cement.
15. A system usable with a well, comprising:
- a fixing agent; and
- a perforating gun string set in the fixing agent,
- wherein the perforating gun string is adapted to communicate produced well fluid to the surface of the well after the perforating gun fires.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the fixing agent comprises cement.
17. The system of claim 15, further comprising:
- an optical fiber attached to the gun string; and
- a circuit coupled to the optical fiber and adapted to monitor the fixing agent prior to setting of the fixing agent.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the circuit is adapted to use the optical fiber to monitor a temperature of the fixing agent.
19. A method to install a tool in a well, comprising:
- running a casing into a wellbore of the well;
- running the tool into the casing; and
- fixing the tool to the well with a fixing agent without pumping the fixing agent through a central passageway of the tool.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:
- pumping the fixing agent between the casing and the tool.
21. The method of claim 19, further comprising:
- running a perforating gun inside the tool; and
- firing the perforating gun.
22. A method usable with a well, comprising:
- running a tool into a well; and
- fixing the tool to the well with a fixing agent without pumping the fixing agent through a central passageway of the tool, the fixing comprising: pumping the fixing agent into the well and then running the tool into the well; running a tubing to a region where the tool is to be fixed to the well; and communicating the fixing agent into the well via the tubing.
23. The method of claim 22, further comprising:
- isolating a bottom of the tool to prevent the fixing agent from entering the central passageway of the tool.
24. The method of claim 22, wherein the fixing comprises:
- pumping the fixing agent into an uncased region of the well.
25. The method of claim 22, further comprising:
- running a perforating gun string inside the tool; and
- firing the perforating gun.
26. The method of claim 22, further comprising:
- operating the tool after the fixing agent sets.
27. A method usable with a well, comprising:
- running a tool into the well;
- fixing the tool to the well with a fixing agent without pumping the fixing agent through a central passageway of the tool;
- running a perforating gun string inside the tool;
- firing the perforating gun; and
- actuating the tool subsequent to the fixing of the tool to the well.
28. The method of claim 27, wherein the fixing comprises pumping the fixing agent into the well and then running the tool into the well.
29. The method of claim 27, further comprising:
- isolating a bottom of the tool to prevent the fixing agent from entering the central passageway of the tool.
30. The method of claim 27, wherein the fixing comprises:
- pumping the fixing agent into an uncased region of the well.
31. A method usable with a well, comprising:
- running a tool into the well, the tool being part of a perforating gun string;
- introducing a fixing agent into the well after the running so that the fixing agent at least partially surrounds the tool;
- operating the tool after the fixing agent sets; and
- using the perforating gun string as a production tubing.
32. The method of claim 31, further comprising:
- cleaning out the perforating gun string before using the gun string as the production tubing.
33. The method of claim 31, wherein the fixing agent comprises cement.
34. The method of claim 31, wherein the tool comprises a casing conveyed tool.
35. The method of claim 31, wherein the operating the tool comprises firing a perforating gun.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Oct 15, 2003
Date of Patent: Dec 26, 2006
Patent Publication Number: 20050109508
Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Sugar Land, TX)
Inventors: Mark Vella (Kingswells), Joe C. Hromas (Sugar Land, TX), Bennie Gill (Fulshear, TX), Larry Grigar (East Bernard, TX), Steven W. Henderson (Katy, TX)
Primary Examiner: William Neuder
Attorney: Trop, Pruner & Hu, P.C.
Application Number: 10/686,043
International Classification: E21B 34/10 (20060101);